The Vienna City Orchestra

Organizer: Wiener Kulturverein (Culture Meeting Point since 1995), in cooperation with Wiener Stadtorchester
Application Deadline: 2 November 2025 -  Results Announcement: 9 November 2025 (via website)
 

About the Competition

The Vienna International Christmas Opera Competition celebrates excellence in opera singing. It provides a prestigious platform for performers of all voice types, allowing them to gain international recognition and the opportunity to perform live with the Wiener Stadtorchester.

The competition is open to participants from around the world and includes both female and male voice categories.

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Participation Requirements

• Open to singers of all nationalities.

• Participants must be 16 years or older.

• Maximum of two video links are required for the application.

• Videos must be unedited; solo or live accompaniment (piano or orchestra) recordings are accepted.

• Maximum performance duration is 15 minutes; there is no minimum duration.

• All voice types are eligible.
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Participation and Performance Rules

• Repertoire may be freely chosen but must consist of classical works (opera arias, lieder, etc.; Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods).

• Video recordings must clearly show the singer’s face and body.

• Videos must be submitted as a link during application or via email.

• Participants agree that all submitted photos, video, and audio recordings may be used for promotion and social media purposes.

• Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

• Due to evaluation delays, announcement dates may change.

• Participants agree to allow their recordings and photos to be used for advertising purposes.
   

Awards

• Grand Prix: 5,000 € + live concert at Palais Ehrbar + medal + certificate + professional photo, audio, and video recording

• 1st, 2nd, 3rd Prizes (each category): Live concert + medal + certificate + professional photo, audio, and video recording

• Special Awards:

  • Wiener Klassik Prize: Award ceremony + certificate + professional photo

  • Jury Special Prize: Award ceremony + certificate + professional photo

  • Honorable Mention: Award ceremony + certificate + professional photo

  • Teachers and accompanying persons may also receive certificates upon request (electronically for 30 €)
     

Application Process

• Application Fee: 70 € 

• Required Documents:

  1. Completed application form Passport or ID copy (with photo)

  2. Short biography

  3. Artistic photo (including photographer’s name)

  4. Video links

  5. Proof of payment of the participation fee (Bank, Revolut, or PayPal)

• “Please send all documents for submission by November 2, 2025, via email to wienerstadtorchester@gmail.com

Payment Information

• Bank Transfer:
  Bank Austria UniCredit
  IBAN: AT96 1200 0006 0177 8103 /
  Bank Code (BIC/SWIFT): BKAUATWW
  Recipient: Culture Meeting Point
  Address: UniCredit Bank Austria AG, Rothschildplatz 1, A-1020 Vienna, AUSTRIA

• Revolut: https://revolut.me/culturemp

• PayPal*: www.paypal.me/CultureMeetingPoint (PayPal fees must be covered by the participant)
  *If you cannot pay with PayPal in your country, please contact us for an alternative transfer fee.

Concert and Award Ceremony

• Date: 22 December 2025

• Venue: Palais Ehrbar – Grand Concert Hall, Vienna

• Winners (Grand Prix and 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes) will perform with the Wiener Stadtorchester in their respective categories.

• Repertoire changes can be made until 2 November 2025.

Jury Members
- Christian Schulz (Wiener Symphoniker, Music Director of the Wiener Stadtorchester, & Professor at Richard Wagner Conservatory of Vienna)
- Giampaolo Vessella (Teatro Nacional de São Carlos)
- Claudia Visca (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna & Richard Wagner Conservatory of Vienna)
- Elizabeth Goncalves (Paris Sorbonne University/ Conservatory & University of Amsterdam/ Paris Superior Center for Voice & Breath)
- Gianmaria Fantato Pontini (Cunductor of the Wiener Stadtorchester)

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 2 November 2025

• Official Results Announcement: 9 November 2025 (via website)

• Concert and Award Ceremony: 22 December 2025